We make birthdays more than just a one day event around here. With Enric and Miranda away for her actual birthday, we saved the cake for one more day. Laura with her requested Moose Tracks ice cream cake from Friendly's Well it's official, she's 19. Waiting for cake and to watch Laura open presents. A lovely bracelet Laura had "pinned" on Pinterest and Miranda had taken notice of. A birthstone necklace from Heather A homemade card from Mama with birds and ... Read More

Today after church, we went to see Jim play with his band for a benefit. This was my first time hearing him play, ever. I was very glad I got to hear them! Here are the movies I took with my phone. Not great quality but it was the best I could do. ... Read More

Dina called me some time back, "I know you can't have the traditional bridal shower, but when you go to Australia, you're going to need things, and we can buy you pretty lingerie, make up,  a wedding dress....What do you think Barb?" I nearly cried I was so touched at the gesture. And so, Dina and Chris made for me a  Bridal party.             It was good fun and I missed those that could not be there, but  ever grateful for those who came. ... Read More

Sunday brought Christmas! We went to church and family came soon after. I didn't get many photos, perhaps after a few rounds of presents, I was tuckered out. :)   ... Read More

Laura decided on a small get together at home for her 18th birthday. Of course this was her third such get together, this one was just on her actual birthday.   So Laura had a nice birthday month, and we had a very sweet Thanksgiving, and the Ravens won! :)     ... Read More

I had a ball at the reception getting to talk and be with friends and family and capturing some candid and posed shots of everyone. (Click on photo for larger image)   Rubí was a bit of  a show stealer. Mom joins the family table. Mom with Uncle Arthur Jim, Chris, and Britney. Amy (our personal cat whisperer) and Forrest. The groomsmen's table. Groom and Best Man. Brothers. Two Sillies. After being held a long time during the ceremony, Rubí was ready to take off on the open floor. So ... Read More

Yesterday we celebrated Laura's birthday. Heather and Chris arrived first. Then, Miquel and Enric get this wild idea. Since technically the addition hasn't yet  been approved for living in, and things have been left undone and could be for awhile, why not get the ping pong table from the barn and set it up ? And they did. ... Read More

After the Jasper in the tree crisis, I didn't have time to breathe, have a cup of tea and just relax, we had to rush off to Heather's as she asked me to take her photo before going to her Homecoming Dance at her school. (Same school her mom, dad, and I graduated from). She was needless to say, glamorous! This one turned out to be my favorite. With friends... Cammy in the picture too of course! Dad gives her a sweet send off... Britney remarked ... Read More

Britney and Heather were in a dance recital at Downs Park. I was excited to see them dance again, and have another chance to take photos. Britney on her toes. After the recital, Laura and Heather go to the beach. The tide must have been very high, there was only a little beach. Jenny and Miquel pause for a moment with the sun going down. Cameron, after seeing his mommy and auntie on stage, gave it a try. ... Read More

Last night my son and his band, Embers for Ashes, played at Recher Theatre in Towson. Since I got my new 50mm f 1.8 lens for my Canon, I was anxious to get photos in these low light conditions. I was also happy to go with Jim and Heather! I was very pleased with the result of the photos! PHOTOS HERE (2 pages) ... Read More

Our July 4th started with a sit-down family lunch of Tortilla de Patatas. With everyone's tummy happy, we decided to get some tennis in before heading out to the harbor. Already happy to have spent most of the day with my two children, I showered and looked forward to meeting the Kucha's to go to Baltimore. Harborplace was filled witih people and fixed up for the holiday. We relaxed at the Hard Rock Cafe... The girls had frozen virgin drinks. Chris sipped on the real thing. Jim, ... Read More

Today Laura and I were invited to Heather's dance recital. This was the 16th Annual Dance Recital of Dancer's Dreams, and held where I used to attend High School, Northeast. The first number, danced to Mercy: The next number was called, Busting Loose It was a great show. I took 800 photos in all. Another highlight was watching Cameron. He loved the dancing, he wanted, "More!" Coming home was interesting, a terrible storm with lightning greeted us as we left the school auditorium. Now we're just ... Read More

Laura turned 15 today, and this weekend with some events planned and some left to spontaneity turned out perfect. Laura's birthday weekend started with one of her favorite things ever, snow. That night Laura and all her friends and Miquel went to see Twilight She had a sleepover with Heather and Jenny. The next day, Laura got her belly-button pierced, a partial gift from Heather. I don't have a photo available, and I hesitate to put one on my blog, but Lord knows, ... Read More

John and I went with Laura, Heather, Tom, Chris and Baby Cameron to Washington D.C. First leg of the journey was to hop on the metro, which seemed to excite Cameron. First stop was the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History... The museum's collections total over 125 million specimens of plants, animals, fossils, minerals, rocks, meteorites, and human cultural artifacts, making it the largest such museum anywhere. It is the second most popular of all of the Smithsonian museums and is also home to ... Read More

After nine years talking over the internet, John (or Mr Dolphin as my kids call him) is finally in the US for a first visit face to face. After he traveled a grueling 20+ hours, we (Chris, Laura, and Heather) took him to New York City! Maybe not the best thing to do, being so tired, but he was a good sport. On Broadway, we saw some street acts... John at Times Square Of course we me up with Elmo, and the girls posed ... Read More

Shopping done, wrapping done, cards and packages sent, baking done.  Here are images of Heather and Laura icing a batch of sugar cookies... ... Read More